Mosquito | Mosquitoes | Pest Control

Do You Attract A Mosquito Swarm?

A mosquito does not have the same regard for all their prey. It is a known fact that not all humans are equally preferred by this blood-sucking pest. There are those that appear more attractive for the female mosquito than others. A tremendous amount of research is being undertaken to determine what exact odors or compounds a person exudes that makes him more susceptible to be bitten by a mosquito than others.

Factors That Make A Person Attractive To A Mosquito

Genetics, for one, account for 85 percent for a person’s vulnerability to mosquito bites. Producing excess amounts of certain acids, such as uric acid and lactic acid, can also trigger the bloodsucker’s sense of smell, luring it towards its victim. This insect has the capability to smell its prey from a remarkable distance of 50 meters. This is something which doesn’t favor people who emit large quantities of carbon dioxide. Pregnant women who exhale a greater amount of carbon dioxide than normal, therefore, are more at risk than others. This is also the reason that adults are typically more preferred over small children.

The mosquito is likewise attracted to movement and heat. A person undertaking any physical activity would thus have a higher chance of being munched upon than a person lounging around. The smell of lactic acid from one’s sweat glands, together with the scent of carbon dioxide from one’s heavy breathing, is potent magnet for any bloodsucking insect lurking within a 50-meter radius.

Warding Off A Mosquito Attack

Being preferred by these bloodsuckers more than others does not only mean having to suffer from itch and a red blotched skin from their bites. Various threats to one’s health can also be posed by these pests. Some people can suffer severe allergic reactions from a mosquito bite. Illnesses such as malaria and dengue fever can also be potentially transmitted as the creature flits from one prey to the other. You don’t have to be a helpless victim, though, for there are various options available to ward them off.

Repellants, for instance, can help provide you with temporary protection. For a long-term solution to these insects, however, one can have their surroundings, especially in one’s home, be professionally treated for a more secure, pest-free environment.